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TRUST JESUS TODAY

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Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Rejection (11/15/04)
TITLE: Rejected, Beaten, Bruised, Humiliated, Abandoned, Then Crucified
By Josephus van den Hoek
11/15/04
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Probably one of the most heart breaking biblical stories I have read is found in Psalms. Funnily enough it is written by David and yet these words seem to fit perfectly when describing the rejection of Jesus. We all have been rejected at times but the following words somehow transport me right back to the times of the crucifixion. Consider these words as if they were said by Jesus, thousands of years before He would experience them personally.

I am the utter contempt of my neighbours;
I am a dread to my friends-
those who see me on the street flee from me.

I am forgotten by them as though I were dead;
I have become like broken pottery.
For I hear the slander of many;
there is terror on every side;
they conspire against me
and plot to take my life. (Psalm 31; 11-14)

No one in history has been more rejected than Jesus was on the day of His crucifixion. Jesus was indeed the contempt of His neighbours. He was a dread to His friends, all the disciples fled from Him. Many a parent must have pulled their children back from the crowds to keep them from the hideous site of Jesus carrying his own bloodied cross. Hanging on the cross many would have already left Him for dead. Still conscious, He would have continued to hear the slanderous insults. Jesus was surrounded by terror on both His left and right side as He was crucified with two other criminals. They too must have felt the terror as nails were hammered into their hands and feet. Many Jewish church leaders were present who conspired to take His life.

Can you imagine all your senses being overactive because of all the nervous tension while on the cross and yet absorbing all the rejection around you? What’s worse is that Jesus volunteered for the job. With the thought of one of my sons experiencing crucifixion I cannot stomach the sadness that I would experience in seeing my sons face, especially when I know that there is nothing in their hearts that would deserve this much rejection.

But I trust in you, O LORD;
I say, "You are my God."
My times are in your hands;
deliver me from my enemies
and from those who pursue me.

These words have got to be the most powerful words of endurance ever spoken in context from the cross. “I trust in You, O Lord.” How that must have hurt to say those words.

We may all have been rejected but few of us , if any , will be asked to voluntarily suffer this kind of rejection and then after have been beaten, bruised, humiliated, abandoned, then crucified respond to God by saying “I trust in you O Lord,.” Followed by a heartfelt; “Forgive them for they know not what they do. ‘